City to add bike racks to square

New bike racks will be coming to downtown Kirksville and the Adair County Courthouse lawn, the City Council shared with the county commissioners during their regular joint meeting Monday at City Hall.

Held twice a year, the meetings offer a chance for the two entities to share updates on projects of mutual interest.

Using leftover grant funds, the city is planning on purchasing about 15 smaller racks for the downtown area and courthouse lawn as it navigates and reinforces its downtown bicycling ordinance, attempting to encourage bike riding as long as its not on downtown sidewalks.

"We figured we would disperse them around the downtown so they're available," said Assistant City Manager Melanie Smith.

The racks, resembling a three-pronged short metal tree, allow for safe use by two cyclists at a time and avoid the typical bent-wheel issue with other style bike racks.

The cost, about $4,200, is covered mostly by leftover funds from a Solid Waste Management grant that provided for picnic tables and bike racks at Kirksville parks. The city has applied for a grant amendment and will be utilizing about $200 from the downtown Tax Increment Financing District.

County Commissioners Stan Pickens, Carson Adams and Mark Thompson also related that use-tax collections, after both city and county voters approved its implementation in November, have been productive and appreciated.

"We've set it aside because you can't budget it because you don't know what it will be, but we'll know at the end of the year and can budget for the future," Adams said.